22 



FLOWERS. 



liWATiENs EALSAMiNA. — A vciy fine annual plant, with 

 great abundance of showy flowers. There are several va- 

 rieties, both single and double, rose-coloured, red, purple, 

 pure white, variegated and crimson. The flowers are ele- 

 gantly formed, and the colours of many are very vivid. The 

 plant is commonly called balsaviine. It will bloom in July, 

 and continue in flov^^r until the frost appears. The seed 

 should be sov/n in May. 



Iris, or fleur de luce. — This is a perennial plant, per- 

 fectly hardy. There are many varieties, both large and 

 small. From its great combination of colours, and unique 

 appearance, it has ever had admirers. It shows to advan- 

 tage in a border. It is propagated by dividing the roots. 



Lagentrcenlv Indica. — A flowering shrub, which en- 

 dures the winter of the Middle and Southern States. In 

 Massachusetts, it must be treated like the hydrangea, but 

 its beauty will repay this attention. 



Laurel, broad-leaved — Kalmia laiifolia — -is an ever- 

 green shrub, vv^hich produces flowers of great delicacy and 

 beauty, being white, tinged with red. This ornamental 

 shrub is occasionally found in rocky woodlands. 



Laburnum — Cytisus laburnum — is a tall and handsome 

 shrub, loaded, when in bloom, w4th yellow flowers. It is 

 sometim.es called golden chain. It is tender, and to stand a 

 Massachusetts winter must be planted in a v>^arm and shel- 

 tered situation. It is raised from the seed. 



Larkspur — Delphinium — is an annual plant of no fra- 

 grance, but of great variety of colours. It makes a good 

 appearance, and is easily propagated from the seed. 



Lilac. — Syringa vulgaris. — This is a large shrub, very 

 hardy, and much admired when in bloom. It has large 

 bunches of flowers, which possess considerable fragrance. 

 The white and the purple may be easily grafted, or innocu- 

 lated into each other, and when the shrub, with a handsome 

 head, is thus managed, som^e branches producing purple, 

 and others white flowers, it makes a beautiful appearance. 

 It is propagated from suckers, of which it sends out too many, 

 and from which it should be kept as clear as possible. The 

 Persian lilac (Syringa Persica) is a neat shrub, loaded, 

 w^hen in bloom, with very delicate flowers. It is propa- 

 gated by suckers. 



Lily. — Liltum. — Of this plant there is a great variety; 

 but only a few shall be named. — The white (Lilium candi- 

 dum) grows to the height of three or four feet, and produces 

 very large, white, fragrant flowers. The Tiger {LUium 



